Push button



' March 2, 192a. 1,575,376

F. N. MIZER PUSH BUTTON Filed Feb. 4. 1924 INVENTOR.

By N W 612% W Df/flii ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED N. MIZ EB, OIE' ELYRIA, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR TO THE GENERALPHONOGBAPH'MANU- FAOTURING COMPANY, OF ELYBIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO,

PUSH BUTTON.

Application filed February 4, 1924. Serial No. 690,402.

provements in Push Buttons, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to switches for effecting the operation of signals and the like, and more especially to electric switches which are operated by moving a push button in an axial direction only to sound an alarm or warning. v

The main object of my invention 13 to provide a switch structure of the class described which can be readily operated to operate a signal device when pressure is exerted by the operator agalnst any point on the outer surface of the end of the button. .Another object of my invention resides 1n the combination and arrangement ofthe contact members with relation to the movable and stationary parts of the switch. l

Another object of my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts making up my improvediswitch.

These and other objects, and the invention.

itself will be better understood from the accompanying description of anembodiment of my invention appearing here1nafter.

In the accompanying drawings forminga part of my invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a switch embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a medial vertical sectional view of the same when out of contact position;

Fig. 3 is another medial vertical sectional view of the same showing the switch 1n circuit forming position; Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the switch with the button removed and its stem in section; and Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1 illustrating the. end of the spring contact member.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 10 represents a cylindrical base having an outwardly extending circular flange 11 at one end, the base and head being formed integrally of suitable non conduct ing material. The cylindrical base is provided with a central axial bore 12 extending lengthwise therethrough forming a bearing through which the button shaft is mounted so that it may be reciprocated and rotated. The flange 11 at the end of the base is providedwith openings 13 and 141 which are located diametrically and extend longitudina-lly therethrough, the wall surrounding the opening 14 being threaded. A cylin-j drical metal shell 15,.preferably constructed of brass, surrounds the outer wall of the base, and terminates in a circular flange 16 whlch abuts the under wall of the base flange. The shell is of such length that its end is flush with the end of the base when the flange 16 lies against theunder wallof the base flange 11, and is of such internal diameter that it can be pressed upon the cyllndrical base to secure it in position-therewith.

A contact member 17 extends longitudinally'through the'base, and is preferably so positioned when forming the base. One end 18 of this contact member is bent outwardly, being embedded in the end wall of the flange 11 so that it extends over the, opening 14 in the flange, with its upper side flush with the end wall of the base flange. The opposite. end '19 of the contact 17projects from the end of the base member and an electriccon duit 20 is clamped therewith by a screw 21, the terminals of the wire andcontact having threaded apertures to receive the screw. A leaf spring contact member 22 extends transversely across the end wall of the flanged end of the base. One end 23 of this contact member overlies the end,18 of the contact member 17, the ends 18 and 23 of the contact members being clamped to the end wall of the base by a screw 241 which extends through aperturesformed therein and into the threaded aperture 1a in the flange 1.1. The oppositeiend 25 of the spring cont-act member is bent to extend longitudinally into the aperture 13 in the flange 11, andis provided with a serrated end 26 which is adapted to contact with the flange 16, of the shell 15, underlying the aperture 18. The portion of the spring contact member intermediate the ends 23 and 25 isbent inwardly from each end and extends upwardly forming an angle having its apex centrally of and spaced from the base member 10. The major portion of the intermediate section of the leaf spring contact is provided with a slot 27, through which the button shaft extends, so that the movement'of the same will not be interfered with. 7

An elongated shaft 28 extends through the longitudinal opening 12 in the base member projecting from each end thereof. A washer 29 surrounds the shaft, exteriorly of the base end, and is secured thereto by welding or other similar securing means, as shown at 30. This washer acts as a stop which engages the adjacent end of the base to limit the outward movement of the shaft relative to the base.

A push button is secured to the opposite end of the shaft 28 and Consists of a trans- Versely extending end wall 31 and a longitudinally extending peripheral circular skirt portion 32. The button which'is of non-conducting material is preferably formed on the end of the shaft, with the skirt portion extending parallel with the shaft. The inner diameter ofthe skirt is such that it surrounds the flanged end of the base, and is of such length and so arranged that the end ofthe flanged base is always substantially, enclosed by the button, with the inner side of the end wall spaced from the outer end wall of the base. The spring contact member 22 extends against the inner end wall of the button and exerts sufliclient pressure thereagainst to normally maintain the button in extended relation relative to the base.

Projections 33 extend outwardly from the flanged end of the base, on opposite sides of the aperture12'and are provided with curved outerfaces which engage the spring contact member when the button is pushed inwardly. I I

These projections act as stops, to prevent the button from being pressed toward the base after the serrated end 26, of the contact member, engages the metal flange 16, thereby preventing distortion or breakage of the member 18.

The above described switch is of the ground type used forautomobile signals, the brass shell- 15 beingfltted to the steering column in the usual manner, and the lead wire 20 extending in circuit with a horn and source of electric supply in the conventional manner. l Vhenthe button is pressed toward the base, by the operator, the contact spring 22 is movedinwardly, so that the end 25 engages with the flange 16 of the shell, through the aperture 13, and. While in such position the horn will operate; When the pressure against the button is released the tension of the spring contact member automatically returns the button to extended position, and removes the serrated contact end from the flange 16, inwhich position the signal or horn circuit is broken. It will be observed that the contatt member 22 serves the dual function of "providing a contact, and of returning the button to extended position.

The outer surface of the button is curved convexly toward its periphery and is of an area which completely overhangs, the flanged end of the base, thereby providing a large area, upon any point of which pres sure by the operator will readily move the spring contact member into operative position to cause a signal to be given. This ease of operation is due to vthe long bearing the shaft or stem28 has in the base, together with the shape of the end face of the button and its relation with the stem and base, The skirt of the button extending over the flanged base protects the contact spring 22'from moisture, and other conditions encountered tending to detract from the efficient functioning of'the same.

Various changes can be made in the details of the described embodiment of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the scope of what I claim.

hat I claim is 1. A push button switch comprising anonconductor base member,a ground member adjacent said base, an axially movable stem extending through said base, a button secured to one end of said stem exteriorly of said base member and enclosing one end of said base, means to prevent removal of the other end of said stem through said base member, a leaf spring contact member bent to bear against and normally space said button from said base, said spring contact having one end secured to said base member and the other end normally spaced from and free to bemoved into contact with said ground member, and means for connecting said contact member with a source of electric supply, said button moving said free spring contact end into engagement with directed thereagainst.

2. A push button switch comprising a cylindrical non-conductor base member having a flanged end, said base member and flange each having an aperture extending lengthwise therethrough, a ground member surrounding said cylindrical base member having a flange bearing against the flanged end of'said base member, a stem extending through the aperture in said base member, a button secured to one end of said stem means to prevent the other end of said stem being withdrawn through said base member, a leaf, spring contact member intermediate said button and the adjacent end of said base member'bent to bear against said button and normally maintain it in extended relation from said base member, said spring having one end secured to said base member said ground member 'when pressure is non-conductor base member, a ground member adjacent said base, an axially movable stem extending through said base, a button secured to one end of said stem exteriorly of said base member and enclosing one end of said base, means to prevent removal of the, other end of said stem through said base member, a leaf spring contact member bent to bear against and normally space said button from said base, said spring contact having one end secured to said base member and the other end normally spaced from and free to be moved into contact with said ground member, and means for connecting said contact member with a source of electric supply, said button moving said free spring contact end into engagement with said ground member when pressure is directed thereagainst, and means to prevent further movement of said button toward said base member when said spring contact is moved into engagement with said ground member.

4:. 'A push button switch comprising an elongated cylindrical base. member of nonconducting material having an axial bearing extending therethrough, a stem mounted to be reciprocated lengthwise in the apertured base member, means to retain said stem in operative relation with said base, a button secured to an end of said stem projecting from said base, said button having an end wall 01 comparatively large area and a peripheral longitudinal skirt enclosing the adjacent end of said base member, the outer surface of the end Wall being curved convexly from its center toward the periphery, a spring contact member intermediate said button and the adjacent end of said base FRED N. MIZER. 

